James wrote a letter that was much misunderstood but still provides clear answers. Today, in times of rigorous rebellion against God’s commandments, James is declared to be an incompetent apostle who did not understand justification.
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First works righteousness, then incompetence
Parts of James’ letter are often used to prove works righteousness. What particularly stands out here is verse 24 in the second chapter, which is usually presented in isolation:
“Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.“
Standing alone, this statement can certainly be used to justify works as the path to one’s salvation.
Even Martin Luther stumbled over James’s statements and saw them as a contradiction to Paul’s statements in Romans.
Martin Luther once had concerns
Luther therefore initially came to the conclusion that the letter of James did not belong in the canon of the Bible. He argued this in 1522 with the words “Darumb ist sanct Jacobs Epistel eyn rechte stroern Epistel gegen sie, denn sie doch keyn Euangelisch art an yhr hat” (“That’s why Saint Jacob’s epistle is a very strong epistle against them, because it has no evangelical character in itself”).
While Paul speaks of salvation by grace through faith, or through faith alone, James seems to emphasize doing good works as a prerequisite. But Martin Luther didn’t give up and ultimately understood James’ statement. To do this, “only” the entire context needs to be taken into account.
Visible works through true faith
James writes in his letter that visible works also come from genuine faith. “You shall know them by their fruits,” is a fitting comment from Jesus Christ. Accordingly, anyone who claims or imagines that they have the true faith, but no works (deeds) can be seen that prove this faith, then it cannot be a true faith.
Anyone who actually loves God, who actually loves their neighbor, who actually believes in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ and has also accepted His faith, will of course act in this way in order to come as close as possible to the example set by Jesus Christ. This also includes the naturally desired observance of God’s laws (10 Commandments – Info).
This does not mean that one can become righteous by obeying the law (Werksgerechtigkeit – Info), but it means that true faith leads to keeping the laws of God.
The claim of having faith, but constantly violating the commandments through one’s own lifestyle (living in sin), without also showing the signs according to Galatians 5:22, is in reality a false faith. James expresses this in the second chapter, verse 26:
“For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.“
Works not in accordance with the law, but as a result of faith. After Martin Luther realized this, his attitude towards the letter of James also changed.
James under attack
If you don’t have any arguments, then the person has to be attacked. Same with James. Some evangelicals even go so far as to say that James lacked understanding of justification. He lacked competence. The “scribes” do not agree among themselves as to when James wrote his letter. Theses claim to take place before chapter 13 of the Acts of the Apostles, others before Romans and the next ones put the Letter of James last chronologically. Despite this inconsistency, the version before Acts 13 is the most suitable for accusing James of lack of understanding.
The reason for the theses about an “incompetent apostle”, who is also called “brother of Jesus”, is obvious. It is about demonstrating faith through visible works and this also includes observing God’s laws. In an age where God’s laws are under massive attack from all directions and there is talk of a “watering can salvation” for everything and everyone who only shouts “Jesus” out loud, the unconditional observance of the commandments must of course not be examined. So, simply label James as a stupid boy who just didn’t understand it.
James is opposed to the fair-weather faith
New definition of sin (Info) and the message about “faith in love” within a united human family were completely sufficient, according to today’s message. Changing your lifestyle, let alone turning away from a constant life of sin? None.
The laws (10 Commandments) were nailed to the cross and no longer played any role. The complete confusion between the moral laws (10 Commandments) and the ceremonial laws also serves this purpose (Info). However, there will be a nasty “mass awakening”, albeit too late. But Jesus Christ himself warned against lawlessness and announced:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:21-23
Bible verses from King James Version (1611)
